Jacobs, 45, exercised his right not to take the stand at the Old Bailey. He is accused of being part of an armed mob which stabbed the 40-year-old Muswell Hill beat bobby to death as he tried to protect firefighters tackling a blaze on the estate on the night of October 6, 1985.

After the prosecution closed its case, judge Mr Justice Nicol asked defence lawyer Courtenay Griffiths QC if he had advised his client that if he chooses not to give evidence “the jury may draw such inference from his failure to do so”.

Mr Griffiths replied: “I have advised him and the defendant chooses to exercise his right not to give evidence.”

Jacobs, most recently of Hackney but who lived in Manor Road, Tottenham, at the time of the riots, denies murder. He was days from his 17th birthday at the time of the unrest.

The judge addressed the jury and warned them not to reach any “final conclusions” before he had finished summing up the case. The trial was adjourned until tomorrow morning.